Power-transmission mechanism.



No. 843,286. PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907. R. H. LITTLE. POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC-11.1905.

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No. 848,286. PATENTED FBB.'5, 1907.

R. ,H. LITTLE. POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 11, 1905.

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ROBERT H. LITTLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO TALBOT & HOLST, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A FIRM.

POWER-TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, 1907.

Aptlication filed December 11,1905. Serial No. 291,208.

1'0 all whom it many concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT H. LITTLE, a 5

cago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Power-Transmission Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to power-transmission mechanism, and has for its object the provision of improved means whereby loads may be intermittently operated, the invention being of particular service where the load is operated by a load-bearing rotatable shaft. This apparatus is very useful, for OX- ample, in the operation of rheostats and the commutating switches of flashers.

In the device of my invention I provide a motor for effecting the operation of the load, a switch governing the effect of the motor upon the load-actuating element, and a switch-controlling device intermittently operated by the motor. The motor I prefer to employ is a solenoid that desirably actuates a pawl engaging a ratchet-wheel upon the load-operating shaft. The switch that I prefer to employ is a loop-switch having two members in the form of spring-fingers normally separate and included in series with the motor-winding and a source of current, said switch including a plunger which is intermittently depressed through the agency of the switch-controlli ig device. Said switchcontrolling device preferably comprises a ring-clutch surrounding a rod carrying the plunger, a swinging frame serving to engage the clutch, and a ball or weight engaged by a motor-driven part and intermittently move ii. to engage the frame and release the plunger. Thus the motor intermittently effects its own operation.

In order that sufficient time may elapse between the operations of the motor, a track is provided of a length suited. to the intervals between operations, the motor thrusting the ball upon the track, along which it must run before it can operate upon the swinging frame. Each time the ball engages the swinging frame the plunger is depresse being immediately elevated when the ball has been thrown up by the motor, as the swing ing frame is then permitted to assume its normal position and cause the ring-clutch to engage and elevate the rod of the switching device, the rod being thus elevated until the ball has again traveled its track and come into engagement with the swinging frame, when the operation is repeated. The swinging frame constitutes the preferred form of the releasing device, though I do not wish to be limited to the specific eetails of the switchcontrolling mechanism illustrated.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of my invention, certain circuit connections being diagrammatically indicated. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is an end view of a part of the structure. *ig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4.- 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view in crosssection on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of one form of load, being in this instance the circuit-changing switch of a flasher.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the different figures.

Tlte motor a is desirably a solenoid whose core 6 is connected with tle rocker-arm c, mounted in this instance to rotate upon and with respect to the power-transmitting sl aft (Z. The motor is desirably placed in driving connection with tr e sl aft through tl e agency of a pawl 6, carried by tle rocker-arm, and a ratcl et or rack-wl eel f, fixed upon tlte shaft. Each time tle solenoid is operated the core tltereof is elevated, causing the pawl to rotate tl:e wiieel f and its sh aft a step. Upon tie return of the core the pawl escapes the W1 eel against tl e tension of the spring g, that exerts a thrusting effort upon said pawl toward said ratcl: et-wlt eel.

The winding of the motor a is included in circuit with a source of electricity h and the springs i of a switch controlling tli e circuit containing said source. A plunger 7c forms a part of said conti'ollingswitch, serving wlt en depressed to electrically connect tle springcontacts i, said plunger being preferably made of carbon. The plunger is carried by a plunger-rod Z, that is directed in its travel by bearings m near its ends. A ring-clutch a surrounds an intermediate portion of the clutchrod, normally frictionally engaging tlte rod 1y, having an extension or end portion 0 in engagement with a stationary stop p and its opposite end portion (1 engaging a movable or rotatable frame 7", w; icii in this instance is pivoted between its ends. Said frame 1 is also provided with. an overlapping stop 9, which prevents ti. o clutch a from being raised with tie plunger-rod The frame is furtler desirably provided with a bifurcated end 8, projecting into the lower end of tite chute j. A ball or roller a constituting a roll' 1g or traveling weight is designed to rest upon the frame to depress tie same len tlius engaged to effect tie elevation of its ot' or end and the consequent disengagement of re ring-clutch from ti: e red. A swinging arm a projects between tlie bifurcated portions of t? e end 8 in position to engage tire ball w en said arm is elevated and remove the same from t? e frame, whereupon the said clutch. will again engage the switch-rod to elevate the same and open the circuit containing th e motor. T re arm a is articulated to tli e rocker-arm c by means of a link a and in this preferred way is subject to the action of the motor. Thus each time the ball falls upon t e bifurcated parts 8 of the frame t -e switch is operated to close circuit t? ougn the motor, whereafter tlte arm is immediately elevated by tie motor to remove the ball, wltereupon the swinging frame operates the ring-clutch to lift tie plunger and open the circuit. Such movement of tfe swinging frame in not very great I prefer to supplement its action in causing the ringclutch to elevate the plunger by raving tie arm a strike the plunger-rod each time said arm is elevated, to wliicn end tie arm is provided with a leaf or cuslion spring a and the rod with a finger or bracket 1, so ti" at the engagement between the arm and rod while positive need not be forcible. Niten tlte ball returns to t? e swinging frame or other clutchreleasing device tr e switch is again closed, tl e motor again operated, and the ball again removed, with the same result as before. Obviously the motor has actuated its load tle predetermined step simultaneously with offecting tli e removal of the ball.

In order that the ball may be guided in its travel, the chute jis provided. in order t1: at the length of tlie intervals between tie engagements of the ball with ti o swinging frame may be made sufficient, a track r) is provided in front of tlie exit w of tie chute, said track conveying th e b all away from said exit toward vals may be secured by regulating the degree of inclination of said track, wlich adjustment may be obtained by means of tlte support 1 that is adapted to be adjusted vertically in. place.

It is obvious that changes may readily be made in the form of the invention shown without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1 do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise construction shown; but,

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, t1? e following:

1. The combination with a solenoid, of a shaft to which motion is to be imparted, a ratohetwl.ieel upon the shaft, a rocker-arm upon and rotatable with respect to the shaft, said rocker-arm being connected with the core of the solenoid, a pawl mounted upon the rocker-arm and engaging the ratchetwheel, a spring connecting the pawl with the rocker-arm to engage said pawl with the ratchet-wheel, a switch comprising springfingers and circuit-closing plunger for connecting the fingers, a rod carrying the plunger, a bra eket przzvi ded upon the rod, a swinging arm articulated to the rocker-arm, a spring carried by the swinging arm and serving to engage the bracket to elevate the plunger, a ring-clutch engaging the plunger-rod. a swinging frame engaging the said clutch, said frame having a bifurcated end. between the bifurcated portions of which said swinging arm projects, a rolling weight adapted to rest upon the bifurcated. end of said frame, a chute guiding said weight to the frame and a rack leading from an exit-opening of said chute to its receiving-mouth and serving to convey the rolling weight back to the chute after being discharged therefrom by the swinging arm, substantially as described.

'2. The combination with a solenoid, of a shaft to which motion is to be imparted, a ratchet-wlwel upon the shaft, a rocker-arm upon and rotatable with respect to the shaft, said rocker-arm being connected. with the core of the solenoid, a pawl mounted upon the rocker-arm and engaging the ratchetwheel, a switch including a circuit-closing plunger, a rod carrying the plunger, a swing ing arm operated by the motor and adapted to engage the plunger, a clutch, engaging the plunger-rod, a releasing device engaging said clutch, a rolling weight adapted to rest upon the releasmg device, a chute guiding said weight to the releasing device and a track leading from an exit-opening of said chute to its reeeivingullouth and serving to convey the rolling weight back to the chute after being discharged therefrom by the swinging arm, suhst antia ly as described.

3. The combination with a solenoid, of a shaft to which motion is to be imparted, a ratchet-wheel upon the shaft, a pawl operv the swinging arm, substantially as described.

l. The combination with a motor, of a shaft to which motion is to be imparted, a ratchet-wheel upon the shaft, a pawl operated by the motor and engaging the ratchetwheel, a switch including a circuit-closing plunger, a rod carrying the plunger, a swinging arm operated by the motor and adapted. to engage the plunger, a clutch engaging the plunger-rod, a releasing device engaging said clutch, a rolling weight adapted to rest upon the releasing device, a chute guiding said weight to the releasing device, and a track leading from an exit-opening of said chute to its receiving-mouth and serving to convey the rolling weight back to the chute after being discharged therefrom by the swinging arm, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a motor, of a shaft to which motion is to be imparted, a ratchet-wheel upon the shaft, a pawl operated by the motor and engaging the ratchetwheel, a switch including a circuit-closing plunger, a rod carrying the plunger, a swinging arm operated by the motor and adapted to engage the plunger, a clutch engaging the plunger-rod, a releasing device engaging said clutch, and a rolling weight adapted to rest upon the releasing device and. be removed therefrom by the swinging arm, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a motor, of a load-actuating element, means permitting intermittent engagement of said motor and load-actuating element, means for effecting the operation of said element b r said motor, and a traveling weight governed by the motor and controlling said latter means, substantially as described,

7. The combination with a motor, of a load-actuating element to be driven thereby, means effecting the intermittent operation of said element by said motor, and a traveling weight governed by said motor and governgoverning said switching mechanism and governed by the motor, substantially as described.

9. The combination with an electric motor, of a load-actuating element to be driven thereby, a switching mechanism controlling the c' suit of the motor and effecting intermittent operation of said motor and the element controlled thereby, said mechanism including a circuit opening and closing switch element, a releasing device permitting said switch to close and a clutching mechanism engaging said switch element to open said circuit, and a traveling weight governed by the motor and thrust thereby into engagement with the releasing device to close circuit through the motor, substantially as described.

10. The combination with an electric motor, of a load-actuating element to be driven thereby, a switching mechanism controlling the circuit of the motor and effecting intermittent operation of said motor and the element controlled thereby, said mechanism including a circuit opening and closing switch element, a releasing device permitting said switch to close and a clutching mechanism engaging said switch element to open said circuit, and a traveling weight governed by the motor and thrust thereby into engagement with the releasing device to close circuit through the motor, and an arm operated by the motor to remove said weight from the releasing device to stop the loadactuating element, substantially as described 11. The combination with an electric motor, of a load-actuating element to be driven thereby, a switching mechanism controlling the circuit of the motor and effecting intermittent operation of said motor and. the element controlled thereby, said mechanism including a circuit opening and closing switch element, a releasing device permitting said switch to close, and a clutching mechanism engaging said switch element to open said circuit, and a traveling weight governed by the motor and thrust thereby into engagement with the releasing device to close circuit through the motor, and an arm operated by the motor to remove said weight from the releasing device to stop the load-actuating element, a chute leading to the releasing device, and a track connecting the exit and the outh of the chute for guiding the weight back to the releasing device, substantially as described 12. The combination with a motor, of switching mechanism controlling its circuit, and a weight governed by the motor and governing said switching mechanism, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a motor, of switching mechanism controlling its circuit and a weight governed by the motor and my name this 18th day of November, A. D

governing said switching mechanism, and a track leading from and to the switching, mechanism, upon which the weight is thrust by the motor and upon which said weight I may travel, substantially as described. I In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe ROBERT H. LITTLE.

Nit-nesses:

LEON STRon, V. R. MACDONALD. 

